Word of Salvation – September 2024
Money Matters (3) – Prudence
Sermon by Rev. Peter Smit B.D. – 3 of 5 on Stewardship
Readings: Proverbs 6:6-11; 23:4–5; Philippians 4:10-13
We’ve been looking at some foundational biblical teaching on Money over the last couple of weeks. We discovered some important Biblical truths.
- God owns everything. Money and wealth are his. We must use it for good and to bless others
- It is sinful to idolise money. that leads to prideful self-reliance and greed.
- We must be alert of the dangers of money, instead thank and praise God who has richly provides for us
So how do we honour God with our money?
How should we use it, regard it and spend it?
We turn to the practical, common-sense wisdom of the Proverbs.
Proverbs begins with one foundational principle that applies to how you use money.
It is the principle of prudence. God wants you to live a disciplined and prudent life.
Proverbs 1:1–4
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young…
What is prudence?
Prudence. Websters…
1: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2: shrewdness in the management of affairs
3: skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4: caution in regard to danger or risk
Prudence means having cautious practical wisdom, good judgement and discretion.
Much of consumer spending today is driven by the need to feel good in order to combat feelings of stress or anxiety.
McCrindle research found “almost half of Australians (48%) feel the need to buy new things. That addictive high we get from buying something new keeps us going back for more. More than four in five Australians (82%) report feeling good when they buy something new. It’s called retail therapy for a reason!
There is short burst of joy when something new is purchased but soon that joy is gone until the next purchase is made. Mccrindle noted that “these people are more likely than ‘considered consumers to experience anxiety (30% cf. 20%), loneliness (23% cf. 15%), sadness (24% cf. 16%), frustration (36% cf. 23%) and stress (36% cf. 27%) in their daily lives”. Considered Consumers, (or Prudent people) on the other hand, are more likely to experience contentment (48% cf. 37%), hope (48% cf. 38%) and happiness (60% cf. 50%).[https://mccrindle.com.au/insights/blog/why-australians-are-caught-up-in-consumerism/]
Comfort buying is not a prudent way to manage money. You need to think and exercise good judgment when it comes to money.
Today we’ll briefly consider four different ways to practice prudence.
Honesty, Diligence, Contentment, Care.
a) Honesty.
Prudent people are honest people.
From time to time in the courts there’s a case of carers stealing cash from their patients.
Hear of Children stealing from aged parents.
Prudent people don’t use deceitful ways to gain money.
Proverbs 11:1
1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
The Book of revelation says.. “God is holy and true” (Rev 3:7), he hates dishonesty.
Proverbs 21:6
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Application:
Have you ever been tempted to be dishonest when it comes to money? Reject that temptation.
God calls you to always speak the truth. Never use dishonest regarding money.
Don’t hide a defect in something you sell. Be upfront and truthful.
Have the mind of Christ and always speak the truth.
Ephesians 4:25
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour…
Psalm 15:1–2
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
Honour God and be honest.
Even it costs you.
God delights in growing you in holiness more than growing your cash reserves.
Proverbs 16:8
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
Second quality of prudence is…
b) Diligence.
Prudent people are diligent people. Nor lazy.
God honouring people should be hard working people.
There is no substitute for hard work, perseverance and applying yourself to your work.
As a general rule, God’s word warns,
if you are lazy and it can lead you into poverty.
Proverbs 10:4
4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 14:23
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
The proverbs condemn the sluggard; A lazy person. Proverbs 6:9-10.
They don’t begin things (6:9-10), they don’t finish things, (19:24; 26:15).
They don’t face things (22:13), they are conceited (26:16),
And they are unwilling to sacrifice (20:4).
If you are tempted to be slack, watch ants. (6:6ff)
See how diligent they are, they work as a team and persevere,
They get the job done. God blesses diligence.
Application:
Today, more than ever, we need to be diligent.
Rising costs are impacting people everywhere. Hard workers are in short supply.
Be steady, earnest and energetic in your efforts.
Give your best 100% of the time. Remember who you’re working for.
Colossians 3:23
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
When it comes to using the money, God has entrusted to you…
Be prudent and restrained in purchasing,
wise in budgeting, be earnest in saving and giving.
Godly prudence is demonstrated in
Honesty, Diligence,
c) Contentment.
Prudent people are content people.
As a believer you should have a healthy ambivalence to money.
Be thankful for God’s provision, not loving money, or living for it,
mindful that money can’t make you happy.
Proverbs 23:4–5
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Money can be here today and gone tomorrow.
The Apostle Paul reminds us…
1 Timothy 6:6–8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
A prudent life is a contented life.
Be happy and contented with what God has provided.
Before your next purchase ask, “do I really need this?” Is it necessary?
Am I seeking joy in money or am I seeking it in God?
Ask God to help you be content. Joy comes from him.
Paul found his joy and contentment in God.
Philippians 4:12
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Paul found his comfort, his joy, hope, peace in knowing Jesus.
Philippians 1:21
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
He didn’t focus on his circumstance or his wealth, he looked to God.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The secret to contentment is found in fixing your eyes on Jesus our eternal King.
Have you found your contentment in Christ?
Are trusting in his promise to provide?
Are you seeking first his kingdom,
are you learning to be content?
Prudence is seen in Honesty, Diligence, Contentment,
Lastly prudence is demonstrated by…
d) Care
Especially care for the poor.
Proverbs 14:21
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 14:31
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.
We must do good to all people but especially the church family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1John 3:17–18
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Application:
Are you setting aside funds to give to those in need?
Loving your neighbour involves giving generously to the needy.
How can you give to those facing poverty?
Who can you support?
– Christians helping homeless people.
– World transform – our denominations mercy ministry.
– Christmas appeal for those in need.
You were spiritually poor, but God gave you Jesus to die in your place.
He sacrificed for you – He is calling you to help others who are poor.
When it comes to money God calls you to be prudent.
Be honest, diligent, content and caring.
This is God’s wisdom for you. This is to be your attitude to money.
This is how you should use it.
The writer of the proverbs understood the blessings and dangers of money.
So he prayed…
Proverbs 30:7–9
7 “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Church, ask God to make you prudent
Ask him to set your heart ablaze to generously give
So fix your eyes on Jesus
Find your all your joy in him
He will enable you to live a god glorifying contented life for him.